In Depth Tour Of Vietnam

Take an in-depth journey across Vietnam visiting ancient colonial towns and experiencing traditional river life along the waterways. We follow part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail through the beautiful Central Highlands - we trek, raft, ride elephants and visit tribal villages. We also sea kayak in Halong Bay and cruise among floating markets on the Mekong Delta.

Tour Highlights

Hanoi - Wander through the bustling narrow streets of the Old Quarter lined with shop-houses

Halong Bay - Traditional junk boat cruise through one of the most breathtaking limestone landscapes in South East Asia

Hoi An - Charming ancient merchant's town on the banks of the Thu Bon River

Kon Tum - Walk through cassava and sugar plantations to a Bahnar tribal village in the Central Highlands

Itinerary

1

Join tour in Hanoi

Arrive Hanoi and check-in at the hotel. Vietnam’s bustling capital is architecturally styled like a French provincial town, with tree-lined boulevards and low-rise
buildings. Hanoi is a wonderfully nostalgic city to explore and this afternoon we have some free time to do so. You may choose to take a walk around the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
None

2

Discover the sights of Hanoi including the Old Quarter

This morning we make a tour of the main sights of Hanoi. Among the interesting sights are the charming One-Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace, a very fine example of French colonial architecture. Ho Chi Minh himself, a spartan-living and scholarly man, chose not to live in the Presidential Palace; he preferred instead a simple teak 2-storied stilt-house specially built for him in the grounds. In the afternoon we visit the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The streets are named after various crafts or specialities: Paper Street, Silk Street, Basket Street etc. The shops themselves have very narrow frontages but are actually quite deep; they are known locally as 'tube' shops.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

3

Free time in Hanoi, drive to Halong Bay; overnight on boat

This morning we drive out towards the magnificent Ha Long Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. Thousands of jagged limestone islands rise out of the jade green waters like the hairy scales of a submerged dragon. In fact Ha Long means ‘where the dragon descends to the sea’ as legend tells that the rugged seascape was created by the pounding tail of a dragon as he ran from the mountains into the sea, carving islands in his wake. We enjoy the romantic scenery while cruising amongst the islands. We’ll have the chance to stop at a grotto beneath towering cliffs and perhaps pull into a beach where you will have time to swim, relax or kayak (optional). It is also interesting to see the curious assortment of boats, junks and wooden sampans, their sails hoisted, gliding through Ha Long Bay. We enjoy an included seafood lunch on board the boat. In the evening we’ll transfer to our overnight boat. Accommodation will be in twin cabins, bedding and mattresses provided.

Overnight: Standard BoatSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4

We’ll have the chance to stop at an island or Three Peaches beach under towering cliffs and fringed with thick jungle. You will have the opportunity to sea kayak through stunning limestone scenery – we carry our own kayaks and lifejackets and instruction is provided (this activity is optional, but at no extra expense). Late in the afternoon we visit Cua Van floating fishing village to experience some local life of the people in this part of the bay. Again in the evening we’ll transfer to our overnight boat.

Overnight: Standard BoatSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5

Arrive in Hue; boat along Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda

This morning we board local rowing boats cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay. Enjoying our brunch while on the boat we get to see Bai Tho mountains and Ha Long market. During our cruise we sail to the beautiful caves of Hang Luon. We then return to Hanoi where we have day rooms before boarding the overnight sleeper train for the journey to Hué - bedding provided.

Overnight: Basic Overnight Train

Included Meals:
Breakfast

6

Arrive Hue; afternoon boat trip on Perfume River

We arrive in Hué, one of the great cultural and religious centres of Vietnam, a quietly impressive place and a major highlight of our trip. The Perfume River divides the city in two and it has been the inspiration for poets and painters for many centuries. In the afternoon we take a trip by boat on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda. This lovely monastery is the oldest in Hué.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
None

7

In Hue, visit the Imperial Citadel; free afternoon

To appreciate Hue's fascinating history we’ll tour the Old Citadel in the morning. The citadel/palace built by the Nguyen dynasty (early 1800’s to 1945) has formal moats and impressive ramparts and was an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Although most of the Inner City was destroyed during the Tet Offensive (1968), the vast outer walls and the West Wing remain and are an eloquent reminder of the palace’s former glory. The afternoon is free to wander at your own pace. You may choose to hire a bike or wander the back streets and lively markets (optional).

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

8

Scenic drive via Danang to Hoi An

This morning we enjoy a scenic drive across the spectacular Col des Nuages (the pass of Ocean Clouds) to Danang, once the centre of the important Kingdom of Champa (2nd century AD – 1720). We visit the Cham Museum to see the extraordinary Cham sculptures. Not far from Hoi An are the magnificent Marble Mountains which are dotted with Buddhist pagodas and shrines, and were a haven for the Vietcong troops and the scene of many battles. We will also stop at China Beach. Later we drive on to the historic merchant town of Hoi An.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

9

From Hoi An, visit ancient My Son; free afternoon in Hoi An

The Portuguese arrived here in the 16th century and by the 18th century it had become one of the busiest international trading ports of South-East Asia. Hoi An still retains its medieval charm with old buildings and colourful markets. During our stay here we include an excursion to My Son. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, My Son is a striking complex of tower temples located in a secluded valley. The rest of our time is left free for personal exploration.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

10

Free day to explore Hoi An; optional visit to My Lai

Bicycles here are inexpensive and a great way to get out into the surrounding countryside or perhaps take a trip to the nearby beaches. The town is also renowned for its many craft and tailors’ shops. You may also wish to take an optional excursion to Quang Ngai, the site of the My Lai Massacre Memorial. The massacre was a significant turning point in the Vietnam War and the horrific story is told through a photo presentation – an emotional experience.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

11

Drive through mountains to Kon Tum in Central Highlands

Our journey takes us inland through the mountains of the Central Highlands to the market town of Kon Tum. It is a long day of travel but the stunning scenery and opportunity to see this rural area more than make up for it.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

12

In Kon Tum, walk through tribal villages

On our second day here we walk out to Kon Ko Tu, one of the many Bahnar tribal villages in the surrounding area (approx 5 hours walking, graded easy to moderate). We walk through cassava and sugar plantations and pass several stilted villages en route. After lunch there is an opportunity to float back to the village on local dugout canoes. In the evening we can visit the Village Rong or communal house which is the most important building in the village – not only is it used for festivals and village meetings, but it acts as the court where people are tried for tribal offences.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

13

Drive to Western Highlands; take boat on Lake Lak

We drive south today through the Central Highlands, to Buon Me Thuot, Dak Lak Province’s administrative centre and the Western Highlands’ unofficial capital. Although a nondescript town, there are many minority Ede villages in this region, and we head south to Lak Lake to spend a night in a bungalow near the shores of the lake. During our time here we will take an elephant ride to a nearby village and a relaxed boat (pirogue) excursion on Lake Lak. There is also time for some personal exploration of the area.

Overnight: Standard LodgeSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner

14

Drive to coastal Nha Trang

Our drive today sees us descending to the coastal plains as we make our way to the fishing town and beach resort of Nha Trang. Some of the most impressive Cham towers can be seen on the outskirts of the town on our arrival.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

15

In Nha Trang, boat cruise on Ninh Van Bay

Today we enjoy this seaside town, famed for its clear warm water, delicious seafood and white sand beach. We plan a boat trip to some of the outlying islands to swim and relax (dependent on local weather conditions).

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool AvailableSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

16

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City; explore Old Saigon; free afternoon

Today we fly to Ho Chi Minh City where we have a walking tour of the city’s central sights including the National Assembly, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Independence Palace and the War Crimes Museum. The afternoon is free for you to walk around this charming city.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

17

Drive to Mekong Delta; cruise Mekong River; overnight on boat

This morning we drive to Can Duoc, where we board our specially chartered river boat. Travelling along the backwaters by boat is by far the best way to see the delta, passing villages of stilted houses, abundant rice fields and a variety of cottage industries as we go. We travel down the Mekong River to Cho Gao, where we disembark for a walk around the local market. We then continue to Thoi Son Island where we’ll meet the friendly locals and take a sampan ride through palm-shaded creeks. Back on our boat, we’ll cruise to Cai Be, where we moor up for the night. Our accommodation is simple dormitory-style bunks on board the boat.

Overnight: Basic Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

18

In Mekong Delta, option to visit early morning floating market; overnight on boat

It is worth rising early to see the superb floating market at Cai Be. As it links the various towns and provinces, Cai Be is a very social and colourful place with the vendors advertising their wares on long poles. We spend some time paddling through the market and enjoying the friendliness of the locals before continuing on our boat journey. We stop off several times today to visit rural islands and some of the many family businesses along the canals. We then continue down the river to Long Xuyen Sadec, where we visit the Quach Temple and the colourful local market. We continue through the Lap Vo Canal to Long Xuyen.

Overnight: Basic Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

19

Drive to Ho Chi Minh City

This morning we bid farewell to our boat crew and rejoin our vehicle and make the long journey back to Ho Chi Minh City, where we have the further chance to enjoy this bustling city.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

20

From Ho Chi Minh City, visit Cu Chi Tunnels

This morning we’ll take a short drive out of the city to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which formed an amazing underground command base for 10,000 Viet Cong troops and were a major part of the 1968 Tet Offensive. We then have a final group night before our adventure ends in Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight: Standard HotelSingle Room Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

21

Tour ends in Ho Chi Minh City

Tour ends after breakfast. If you have time you may wish to pick up some last minute bargains at Binh Tay Market.

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Vietnam Explorer tour available at present.